Greek exports of peaches, nectarines, cherries and apricots have recorded major increases this season, with favourable weather helping growers produce and market significantly larger volumes.
Data from the Greek Directorate for Quality and Food Safety, covering May 1 to September 4, 2026, show substantially stronger export performance than during the same period last year.
Cherries and nectarines recorded the sharpest increases, while exports of peaches and apricots also rose significantly.
The strong performance largely reflects the absence of major adverse weather events during the growing season. Unlike previous years, Greek stone fruit production suffered relatively little weather-related damage, allowing growers to harvest and market much larger quantities.
Peaches: Romania and Poland lead the way
Greek peach exports reached 65,994 tonnes by September 4, compared with 49,299 tonnes during the same period in 2025, marking an increase of almost 34%.
Romania remained the largest destination, with exports rising from 14,332 tonnes to 15,704 tonnes.
Poland recorded the strongest growth among the main markets. Greek peach exports to the country reached 12,939 tonnes, up from just 5,051 tonnes last year.
Bulgaria remained an important market despite a decline in shipments, which fell from 13,236 tonnes in 2025 to 10,088 tonnes this season.
Exports to Ukraine rose from 4,408 tonnes to almost 5,480 tonnes, while shipments to Hungary increased from 2,573 tonnes to 3,827 tonnes.
The figures indicate that traditional Balkan and Eastern European markets absorbed much of the additional Greek peach production.
Nectarines: Exports more than double
Nectarines recorded the most dramatic growth among the four products.
Greek exports reached 75,533 tonnes, compared with 34,492 tonnes in 2025, an increase of almost 119%.
Poland emerged as the standout market, with exports soaring from just 1,597 tonnes last year to 16,845 tonnes this season.
Romania also remained a major destination, with shipments increasing from 12,693 tonnes to 17,129 tonnes.
Exports to Bulgaria rose more modestly, from 7,234 tonnes to 7,695 tonnes, while shipments to Hungary more than tripled, rising from 1,527 tonnes to 4,673 tonnes.
The Czech Republic also recorded a substantial increase, with Greek nectarine exports rising from 775 tonnes to 4,384 tonnes.
Growth extended across both EU and non-EU markets. Exports to EU countries rose from 27,414 tonnes to 63,088 tonnes, while shipments outside the EU increased from 7,077 tonnes to 12,445 tonnes.
Cherries: Exports almost triple
Greek cherry exports also recorded exceptional growth.
By September 4, shipments had reached 54,493 tonnes, compared with 19,682 tonnes during the same period last year, representing an increase of almost 177%.
Germany remained the largest destination, with exports increasing from 6,869 tonnes to more than 13,233 tonnes.
Poland also became a significantly larger market, with Greek cherry exports rising from just 717 tonnes last year to 6,651 tonnes this season.
Exports to Italy increased from 3,181 tonnes to 7,550 tonnes, while shipments to Romania rose from 2,324 tonnes to 5,593 tonnes.
Spain recorded particularly strong growth, with exports jumping from just 410 tonnes last year to almost 4,383 tonnes in 2026.
Greek cherries also reached a wider range of markets this season. The fruit reached 48 destinations, compared with 40 last season.
Apricots: Strong recovery across Europe
Greek apricot exports reached 52,088 tonnes, compared with 27,548 tonnes last year, representing an increase of approximately 89%.
Romania remained by far the largest destination, with shipments doubling from 5,816 tonnes to 11,632 tonnes.
Poland also recorded strong growth, with Greek apricot exports rising from 1,765 tonnes to 7,629 tonnes.
Exports to Bulgaria increased from 6,263 tonnes to 6,869 tonnes.
Italy became a considerably more important market, with Greek apricot exports reaching 5,268 tonnes compared with just 482 tonnes last year.
Germany also increased its purchases, from 3,112 tonnes to 4,270 tonnes.
The growth extended across the European market, with significantly higher volumes reaching both traditional and emerging destinations.
Strong exports but low returns for growers
Combined exports of the four products reached 248,108 tonnes by September 4, compared with approximately 131,020 tonnes during the corresponding period of 2025.
That represents an overall increase of almost 89%.
However, the stronger production and export performance did not translate into higher returns for growers.
Producer prices remained very low this season as larger available volumes put pressure on the market and reduced growers’ earnings.
The 2026 season has therefore delivered a sharp increase in Greek stone fruit exports, but growers have struggled to benefit financially from the stronger production.
